Our Grateful Hearts

People often ask, “What does Jimmy do?” Jimmy’s reply is predictable. He says, “I make myself available to the kids.” Jimmy spends much of his time being alert to the needs of the kids at the orphanage and making himself available to meet their needs. There is no question that he has a hunger for helping those who once felt unwanted, unloved, uncared for, and forgotten to feel the unconditional love of God. While he supports every effort to meet the kids survival needs, Jimmy’s desire is to make every effort to help them recognize and fulfill their full potential.

In November 2010, Chicks for Children Foundation, Inc. was approved as a 501 (C) (3). Our overarching mission is to reduce or eliminate the devastating consequences of local and global poverty. Many people have made such an ambitious mission possible.

There is one particular person we want to thank. In partnership with Pastor Richard and Hellen Makani, founders and directors of Seeds Ministry, Jim “Jimmy” Cooper has been instrumental in helping us introduce and implement a variety of successful funding efforts, such as the Brick-by-Brick: Orphanage Build, the Greenhouse Build, and Plow Ahead campaigns.

As Jim’s dad, co-founder of Chicks for Children, and Executive Director of the foundation, we want to express our gratitude for Jimmy’s answer to God’s call in February, 2008. He would be the last person to ask for acknowledgement. He is one of the most unpretentious people you will meet. Jimmy serves without the need to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture.

At the present time, Jimmy is helping coordinate and implement a variety of very special ministries that include three in particular. One is the music/praise band/worship ministry. A second is the leadership/discipleship ministry. The third involves his work with the Seeds Children’s Church at the Seeds Children’s Home. The following pictures represent stories about the three ministries.

Jimmy insists the kids rescued from the Kipsongo slum have the potential to fulfill God’s ambitious plan for them to do good works (Ephesians 2:10) when given the opportunity. He wants the kids to learn that they have special skills and abilities to serve and give unto others and to achieve and succeed in life. The music ministry/praise band, Seeds Children’s Church, and Leadership/Discipleship training are opportunities for the youth to demonstrate their sense of purpose and capabilities. The youth learn to share encouraging words and messages of hope among family, friends, and neighbors.

Jimmy values leadership and discipleship development. He emphasizes the need to equip the kids with servant’s hearts and the need for the kids to learn life-skills necessary for reaching their full potential. Jesus spent several years in a public ministry to bring good news to the poor, release the captives, recover sight to the blind, let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19).

Jesus didn’t do His work alone. He recruited others to help. Jimmy has recruited a group of youth to help carry out Jesus’ mission and be Jesus’ hands, arms, feet, mouth, and heart. He finds very exciting those opportunities when the kids go in pairs just like the disciples and share the gospel and multiply. The praise and worship music ministries have been introduced and sustained in memory of the late Melody MacWhirter Cooper. Jimmy has used Melody’s memorial funds to support the music ministry with keyboards, guitars, and drums. The music ministry team witnesses at the Kitale Tent Church and Seeds Children’s Home Church. The music ministry has become an intimate form of praise where the kids seek to personalize their expression of God’s worth to them and others.

Jimmy was asked to help organize and direct a Seeds Children’s Church for the younger children at the Seeds Children’s Home. Jimmy’s praise/worship band and leadership team participate in the weekly service. It has become a wonderful opportunity for the kids to serve one another and develop a missionary zeal to disciple. The kids enjoy opportunities to practice their discipleship skills that include witnessing and sharing the good news through teaching and preaching.

While the poor may never cease on earth, we should never cease to serve the poor. It is our hope and prayer to follow Jimmy’s example and unite in our efforts to serve the Lord our God and help reduce and/or eliminate physical and psychological poverty one child at a time. We will not change the world. We will change the lives of people of poverty in the world. Your prayer and monetary support continues to help us fulfill God’s call to spur one to look after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27).

In February 2008, Jimmy left the states. Linda and I prayed with Jimmy that God’s will be done and then watched him walk away to the terminal. He seemed alone. We didn’t know at the time Jimmy’s favorite verse – Isaiah 6:8. The Lord said, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Jimmy replied, “Here am I. Send me!” You see, Jimmy was not alone. Thank you Jimmy for answering God’s call and spurring many of us in the states to fulfill God’s ambitious plan to make differences in the lives of others. We also want to express our gratitude to Pastor Richard and Hellen Makani for not only being wonderful stewards to Seeds Ministry, but also godly mentors and family to Jimmy.
In February 2008, Jimmy left the states. Linda and I prayed with Jimmy that God’s will be done and then watched him walk away to the terminal. He seemed alone. We didn’t know at the time Jimmy’s favorite verse – Isaiah 6:8. The Lord said, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Jimmy replied, “Here am I. Send me!” You see, Jimmy was not alone. Thank you Jimmy for answering God’s call and spurring many of us in the states to fulfill God’s ambitious plan to make differences in the lives of others. We also want to express our gratitude to Pastor Richard and Hellen Makani for not only being wonderful stewards to Seeds Ministry, but also godly mentors and family to Jimmy.

Donate to Chicks for Children

It is true that small sacrifices made by many people impact in great and mighty ways. The Chicks for Children Foundation encourages individuals to use PayPal as a way to donate. Individuals can donate in memory or honor of others just as they can donate to participate in helping make a difference in the lives of those whose needs are great.